Werdenfels Alps

Snowdrift accumulations difficult to recognize

Snowdrift accumulations difficult to recognize

Avalanche danger is moderate. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations. Slab avalanches (small-to-medium) can trigger in some places by 1 person. Danger zones occur in steep rigeline terrain on N/E/S facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. On smooth slopes, isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger, releases mostly small. Glide-snow avalanches can grow to large size in isolated cases. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

Up to 10-20 cm of fresh snow with graupel has been registered. On Tuesday night a bit more will be added to it, transported by westerly winds, deposited as snowdrifts atop loose snow or snowdrifts. Where snow falls without wind impact there can be weak trigger-prone layers beneath it. Beneath the fresh snow there can also be meelt-freeze and breakable wind crusts, or a weak layer of surface hoar. The drifts can still be prone to triggering. The old snowpack is stable, moist and wet at ground level. Below 1500 m, hardly any snow on the ground, even on north-facing slopes.

In the latter part of the week it will turn milder, the drifts will become less trigger-prone. Avalanche danger will continue to recede.